Bonds between UK and Ukrainian parliamentarians further strengthened by bilateral visit
The BGIPU welcomed a delegation from the Rada from 11-14 November 2024. The delegation was led by Lesia Vasylenko (Holos Party), Chair of the friendship group, also in the group were members of the Servant of the People party (Governing party) Dmytro Natalukha (Co-Chair of friendship group), Rostyslav Titsyk, Yerhor Cherniev, Lesia Zaburanna, a fellow member of the Holos Party, Solomiia Bobrovska and member of the European Solidary Party, Iryna Nikorak. The aim of their visit was to meet newly elected members, ministers and recently formed Select Committees to press upon them the need for the UK to continue their support to Ukraine to stop Russia’s illegal invasion.
They started the week in Parliament by meeting with Bill Browder, Head of the Global Magnitsky Justice Campaign, to talk about strategy regarding sanctions. The delegation then met with the Chairman of Ways and Means, Nusrat Ghani MP who welcomed the delegation and discussed updates in Ukraine on projects she had implemented while she was Minister of State for Business and Trade. This was followed by an informal working lunch hosted by the Chair of the Ukraine APPG and BGIPU Vice-Chair Alex Sobel MP, along with many other parliamentarians who were interested in engaging with the members. The delegation then met with the Secretary General of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Stephen Twigg, to enquire about the likelihood of Ukraine achieving observer status at the CPA with the aim of being able to attend their global meetings. The afternoon continued with a meeting with the Foreign Affairs Committee led by newly elected Chair Rt Hon Emily Thornberry MP, where the committee reaffirmed their support to Ukraine, and wanted to know key topics that they could look at within their committee. The day finished with a roundtable hosted by Conservative friends of Ukraine on Russia’s Disinformation: Common Threats to the UK and Ukraine Security where they also had a short discussion with the Minister for Veterans Alistair Cairns MP.
Following a very busy first day, the delegation started their second day meeting with the newly appointed Shadow Minister for Trade, Andrew Griffiths MP, followed by the Liberal Democrat Spokespersons for Home Affairs, Lisa Smart MP, Foreign Affairs, Calum Miller MP, and Defence, Helen Maguire MP, where they reaffirmed the Liberal Democrats unwavering support to Ukraine. This was followed by a working lunch hosted by Lord Kirkhope of Harrogate and other parliamentarians. The delegation then met with civil servants from the Home Office, who updated them on the Homes for Ukraine scheme and the new Government’s commitment to uphold the scheme. The day concluded with the female members of the delegation meeting with UK counterparts, led by Deputy Speaker Judith Cummins MP, where they discussed topics such as mental health support for Ukrainian children.
The final day in Parliament started with a meeting with civil servants from the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office and Ministry of Defence who updated the delegation on what the new Government was doing to support them. The delegation then had the opportunity to observe PMQs, before attending a working lunch hosted by Alicia Kearns MP and other parliamentarians. The busy afternoon began with a meeting with members of the new Shadow team including Shadow Foreign Secretary, Rt Hon Dame Priti Patel MP, Shadow Defence Secretary, James Cartlidge MP and Shadow Home Secretary, Chris Philp MP. In his capacity as Chair of the Economic Affairs Committee in the Rada Dmytro Natalukha had a separate private meeting with the Chair of the Business and Trade Select Committee, Liam Byrne MP. This was followed by a meeting with the Defence Committee led by the new Chair Tan Dhesi MP who wanted to know what the Committee should raise in future and how they could hold the Government to account on defence in Ukraine. The delegation then had the opportunity to meet the recently elected Leader of the Opposition Rt Hon Kemi Badenoch MP, who re-committed her party’s support to the Ukrainian Parliament and people. The day finished with a reception hosted by the newly elected Chair, Fabian Hamilton MP, and Members of the BGIPU Executive Committee, which provided the delegation with an excellent chance for further informal discussions with a wide range of MPs and Peers.
Following the very busy few days in parliament, the delegation split into two groups, with two members going travelling to Lydd Military Training camp near Kent to watch a training session of experienced Ukrainian soldiers who are there for several months to learn new tactics; the Ukrainian MPs also had the chance to meet and talk with the soldiers. The other group headed to Bristol to meet with companies in the defence industry, including Rheinmetall, Boeing and Babcock to learn about the companies and their current contracts with Ukraine and potential future opportunities.
BGIPU has hosted the Ukrainians several times since the illegal invasion began in early 2022, and each time they come to Parliament it strengthens the bond between Ukraine and the UK. Every member they met reinforced the notion that they stand with them and will do all they can to help them win the war against Russia. These visits are pivotal in reminding UK Parliamentarians of the day-to-day struggles of the Ukrainian people, but also of their resilience.
Ukraine Delegation meets UK members in Westminster Hall including BGIPU Vice Chair and APPG Ukraine Chair, Alex Sobel MP
Ukraine Delegation meets the UK Opposition Leader, Rt Hon Kemi Badenoch MP
Ukraine Delegation meets the Chair Rt Hon Emily Thornberry MP and other members of the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee
